Palatine’s biggest and busiest week of the season in Mid-Suburban League play culminates with a shot at the West Division title.

For that chance against Barrington on Saturday afternoon, the Pirates (9-6-2, 8-1-0) will host and must defeat quickly improving Prospect (7-8-1, 4-5-1) at 6:30 p.m. Friday at home.

“Prospect is always well coached, possesses talented players through their program, and is difficult to contain defensively,” Palatine coach Willie Filian said. “We will have to stay organized in the midfield and backline in order to limit their opportunities at our goal.”

As if the schedule wasn’t taxing enough with four matches in five days, the Pirates spent extra time on the field Wednesday. Kendall Kane’s overtime goal produced a 2-1, two-overtime win over Conant.

“Kacie Filian and Sarah Clancy controlled the game for us in the midfield and hooked up on the first goal, and Marissa Glaviano made numerous timely tackles for our backline,” Filian said. “And Kendall Kane scored a terrific game-winner and also created numerous chances for her teammates during regulation.”

Prospect’s own busy week shared a common foe and result with the Pirates – two days after Palatine edged Rolling Meadows 1-0 on a Caitlyn Soukup goal. The Knights produced a great defensive effort Wednesday to also edge the Mustangs 1-0.

“On their Senior Night, Rolling Meadows brought a lot of energy and desire and played a great game,” Prospect coach Tom Froats said.

“Aly Kobler scored the important goal for us off of a helper from Ella Marzolf, and we were able to finish the game with a shutout with great defense by Madalyn Ladd, Jalyn Mosley, Helen Siavelis and Marissa Valentini on our backline.”

Strong play all over the field produced one of Prospect’s best defensive nights of the year.

“With great defensive help and energy brought by Grace Johannesen, Caroline Hajek and Kendra Gancarz at midfield, we were able to record (goalkeeper) Gianna Rossi's first shutout of the season,” Froats said.

Now comes one of the biggest tests of the season, at the end of Prospect’s own frenetic week. The Knights fell 3-2 in two overtimes to no. 5 Fremd on Monday.

“Palatine will present a difficult challenge as they are well organized defensively, and play tough, gritty physical defense,” Froats said. “Being able to play through that pressure to our attacking personalities will be one of the keys for us offensively.

“And defensively for us, Palatine will bring challenging creative set pieces to the table,” Froats added, “which will require us to defend with a fierce competitive energy needed to win battles in the box.”

The Pirates’ defense has been the centerpiece of their success. In an incredible run of consistency, seven of Palatine’s last nine matches have ended either 1-0, or in a 0-0 tie. Wednesday’s OT battle added to the trend of close battles.

“As a team we’ve done well to keep teams in their own half and not let them out, which has taken much of the pressure off of our goalkeeper and backline,” Filian continued. “Our backline has done well staying organized and limiting opponents in regards to shots and scoring chances.”

The Pirates’ midfield has also been exceptional.

“Kacie Filian has been dominant in the midfield in regards to ball-winning especially in the air,” coach Filian said. “Sarah Clancy has been a tireless worker and technician also in the midfield. And Anja Jacobsen has kept our backline together.”

In an unusually unpredictable spring, weather-wise, Prospect has been hit particularly hard. The Knights didn’t play their fifth match until April 19, and had five postponements by that time.

With his team finally on the field more often lately, Froats is starting to see a steadier and higher level of play.

“We are beginning to play with more consistency as we are nearing the second season (the mid-May playoffs),” he said, “and are still looking for continued improvement in all areas of our game.

“Our goal is to play our best soccer at the end of the season. Overall our season has mirrored the weather – up and down. And hopefully as the weather continues to become more consistent, our play will continue to become more consistent as well.”

The Knights, who will finish second in the East Division, have played well against tough teams like three-time defending state champ and third-ranked New Trier 2-0 (in a game that was shortened to a half by the weather) and Fremd. They hope for another quality performance at Palatine.

“We’ve played some very good soccer against some high caliber teams,” Froats said. “I’m excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for us, as we’re seeing glimpses of some of our best soccer and good results against very good teams.”